What if it rains on your wedding day?

The short answer

Rain does not ruin wedding photographs or films. It changes where some of them happen. Choose an indoor alternative for the group photographs and portraits before the day, keep the essential family-photo list manageable, and use any dry moment for a short walk together.

There is also no need to spend the reception standing outdoors waiting for a particular photograph. A few well-chosen minutes is enough.

Plan the indoor options early

Ask your venue which rooms can be used for group photographs and portraits, how many people they hold comfortably and whether they have good natural light by a window or door. Agree a comfortable indoor alternative in advance, as our planning checklist suggests, so nobody has to find one under pressure.

If your ceremony or drinks are normally outdoors, ask the venue where they would move to, and share the wet-weather plan with us so we can plan around it.

Keep the family-photo list short

Wet weather is when a short, clear list of family groups helps most. Write down the groups that matter most, using names rather than only relationships, and ask someone who knows your guests to gather people quickly.

A short list keeps everyone dry, keeps the drinks reception relaxed and leaves your time for the people you actually want to see.

Take the dry moments

Rain often comes and goes. We use a short break in the weather if one arrives, and we can work around the weather and light on the day rather than treating a particular outdoor spot as a requirement. A portrait walk can be as short as 15 to 20 minutes near the venue.

If it stays wet, a doorway, a covered porch, a wide window or a quiet corner indoors can give you a few minutes alone and photographs that feel like your day, with the weather as part of the story.

What changes for the film

Wet weather changes where we film more than whether we film the ceremony, speeches and party. Ceremony rules, sound and movement indoors matter more than the weather, so ask your officiant and venue about any restrictions on filming or sound recording and share them with us in advance.

If you are worried about how an outdoor ceremony will sound in the rain, tell us on the call and we will talk through the options for the day.

Be kind to yourselves on the day

Check the forecast a few days before, confirm the indoor plan with your venue and then let it go. Most of what you will remember is the people, not the sky.

Bring your plan to the call we hold about a month before the wedding, and we will talk through how the day can adapt if the weather turns.

Questions couples ask